Electric program clock



R. OTTAWAY ELECTRIC PROGRAM CLOCK May 11, 1937,

Filed Oct. 9, 1934 2 Sheets Sheet l -fieriUlhn ay BY myaw ea.

ATTORNEYS Patented fMay 11, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC PROGRAM CLOCK Robert Ottaway, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application October 9,

5 Claims.

The invention relates to program clocks and has for its general object the provision of a novel electrically operated device of this character for ringing bells or giving other signals such as are necessary in "schools, factories and other places where signals are needed to indicate the passage or expiration of certain definite periods of time in accordance with a predetermined program.

An important object of the invention is to provide a program clock which embodies a clock driven means having selectively usable perforations and moving between a source of light and a photo-electric cell upon which light wilL-be thrown when a perforation passes between the light and the cell at a certain predetermined' time, the current generating in the cell being employed to operate relays which in turn control the energization of the bells or other signal devices.

Another object is to provide a clock of this character having associated therewith means which will operate automatically to open a master switch and render the signal bells inoperative throughout a selected number of hours,

for instance during the night, and for any day or-days when the signals are not needed, as for :xample on a Sunday while not interfering with the action on week days.

A further object is to provide a panel and switch arrangement whereby the signal bells interposed in different circuits may be transposed or switched from one circuit to another, depending upon what is considered necessary or advisable.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of this character which on account of being entirely electrically operated will eliminate the large number of individual contacts and other more or less intricate parts'embodied in program clocks of the usual and well known types.

An additional object is to provide an apparatus or device for this purpose and of this character which will be comparatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to adjust for different periods of time, positive in action, efficient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists in the details of construction and the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described'and claimed.

and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic front elevation of one form of my invention showing it constructed to control two circuits,

Figure 2 is a central vertical sectional view,

Figure 3 is a front elevation, with the diagram 1934, Serial No. 747,622

illustrated, showing a modified form of my clock constructed to control four circuits,

Figure 4 is an elevation of the moving tape, this view being taken at right angles to Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the control panel shown inthat form of the invention illustrated in Figure 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and especially Figures 1 and 2, I have shown my device as comprising a stationary dial 5 through which extend the usual arbors carrying an hour hand 8, a minute hand 1, and a second hand 8 whichare movable over the dial or clock face 5 and which are driven by a synchronous type of electric clockmotor indicated at 9 but not shown in detail as it is unnecessary to a proper understanding of the invention. The clock face 5 has the customary hour and minute graduations, the latter being in groups of five as is the well known practice.

Rotatably mounted in concentric relation to and at the rear of the clock face 5 is a dial l which is formed outwardly of the dial or disk with two series II and I 2 of holes, it being intended that there be twenty-four holes between each of the successive hour indications and the intention is that all of these holes be closed, as by means of screws, with the exception of those holes which are located at the time intervals when it is desired to operate the signal bells. Driven by some convenient portion of the clock mechanism by any preferred means is a disk l3 having a cam projection l4 thereon designed to engage against and trip a conveniently mounted pivoted mercury switch l5 of anyor disk I3 is so timed with respect to the clock work that the disk 13 will rotate once every two and one-half minutes, thereby tripping the mercury switch and closing a circuit, to be described, controlled thereby. A spring l6 is shown as connected with the mercury switch for returning it to normal position, and breaking the circuit, after each tripping.

Located in front of the rotatable dial I 0 and mounted in any preferred manner are lamp bulbs l1 and I8 so located as to project light through whichever offthe'holes in the series II and I2 are left open, Located in back of the rotatable disk l0 are ,fphoto-electric cells l9 and 20 so positioned that when openholes in the series II and I2 arrive at a point between the lamp bulbs l1 and I8 and the respective photoelectric cells l9 and 20 the latter will be energized for generating current which passes through conductors 2| and 22, and 23 and 24 to relays 25 and 26 of any ordinary or preferred type.

The line wires of the current supply for the whole apparatus are indicated at 21 and 28 and the conductor 21 is shown as connected with one terminal of both of the lamps I1 and I8, the other terminals of which are connected by a conductor 29 with one contact 30 of the mercury switch l5 which has its other contact 3| connected by a'conductor 32 with one element or contact 33 of the so-called calendar controlling device to be described. Cooperating with the contact or element 33 is a contact arm 34 which is connected by a conductor 35 with the conductor 28. The conductor 28 connects with one terminal of the clock mechanism 9 which has its other terminal connected by a conductor 36 with a conductor 31 which connects with the conductor 21.

In connection with the remainder of the apparatus I provide any desired number of bells 38 and 39, or any other desired signal means. These bells are connected, respectively, by conductors 40 and 4| 'with the conductor 31 which leads to one line wire 211 The other terminals of the bells are connected by conductors 42 and 43 with a change-over switch mechanism here represented as comprising a pair of metal bars 44 and 45 connected by cross members 46 and 41, the former of which is insulated from the bar 45 and the latter of which is insulated from the bar 44. The change-over switch means also includes a pair of double throw switches 48 and 49 which may actually be double acting push buttons, though this is a mere mechanical detail, except that each of said switches must be susceptible of retaining either of the positions in which his set after having been once thrown.

The switch 48 comprises a contact 58 connected by a conductor 5| with the cross bar 46, and also includes a contact 52 connected by a conductor 53 with a conductor 54 which is in turn connected with the line wire 28. Operating be tween the contacts 5lland 52 is the movable contact 55 with which the conductor 42 is connected.

The switch 49 includes a contact 56 connected by a conductor 51 with the cross-bar 41, and further includes a contact 58 connected with the conductor 53. Movable between the contacts 56 and 58 is a contact 59 with which the conductor 43 is connected.

The master control means comprises a pair of switches interposed between the respective bars 44 and 45 and the return line wire. One switch comprises a contact 60 connectedwith the line wire 28, and also includes a movable contact 61 connected by a conductor 62 with the bar 44. The other switch comprises a stationary contact 63 connected with the line wire 28, and

further includes a movable contact 64 connected by a conductor 65 with the bar 45.

One terminal of the relay 25 is connected by a conductor 66 with the conductor 62 and has its other terminal connected to the conductor 54. One terminal of the relay 26 is connected by a conductor 61 with the conductor 65, while its other terminal is connected by a conductor 68' with the conductor 54.

As mentioned in theobjects, I provide a cal-. endar mechanism for rendering the signal system inoperative from 6: 00 p. m. to 6:00 a. m. or on any day during each week. To accomplish this I provide below the rotary disk I 0- a. ratchet wheel 69. As there are fourteen twelve hour.

periods .in each week there are fourteen teeth in the ratchet wheel and fourteen holes 10 into any one of which may be inserted a peg which might be a screw. Cooperating with the teeth is a spring-pressed pawl H for preventing retrograde movement of the ratchet. Mounted axially of the ratchet wheel is a lever arm 12 which is urged in one direction by a spring 13 and which carries a spring-pressed pawl 14 cooperating with the ratchet wheel to move it step by step. The lever arm 12 projects inwardly beyond the periphery of the rotatable disk I0 so as to be in.

the path of movement of a peg or pin 15 carried by the disk l0' at a point opposite the twelve oclock indication on the clock face 5. It should be mentioned in passing that the peg located in any one of the holes 10 is intended, at certain times as will be explained, to engage against the contact arm 34 and open the circuit to the lamps I1 and I8.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows: As pointed out above, the disk ID has two concentric rows or series of holes of twenty-four between the successive hours, one row controlling one circuit and the other controlling the other circuit in this two circuit form of the device. All the holes II and 12 are closed, for instance by small screws, except those which are to admit light to the photo-electric cells I9 and 28 to effect ringing of the bells on the respective circuits at a predetermined time or times. There being twenty-four of the holes H and I2 between successive hour indications, one of these holes, whether open or closed will come in line with or between the source of light and the associated photo-electric cell every two and one-half minutes. The motor 9 rotating the disk in and driving the hands of the clock and causing rotation of the disk l3 will cause the latter to trip the mercury switch l5 every two and a half minutes, the tripped position of the switch lasting, actually, approximately four seconds. The result of tripping the mercury switch from the position shown in Figure 2 into its opposite position will cause the mercury globuleto engage and bridge the contacts 30 and 3| and when this is done'current will flow through the line wire 21, both of the lamps H and 18, through the conductor 29, contact 30, contact 3!, conductor 32, contact 33, contact 34, conductor 35, and to the line wire 28, back to the source, thereby causing energization @f the lamps I1 and I8, the illuminationthereof lasting about four seconds as mentioned above. If a hole in either the series ll or I2 in line between a lamp and the associated photo-electric cell is open the light from the lamp will of course be projected through such open hole onto the photo-electric cell, resulting in energization thereof and the feeding of current through the conductors 2| and 22 to the relay 25, or through the conductors 23 and 24 to the relay 26, as the case may be, depending upon whether the open hole is in the outer or inner row. If the relay 25 is the one that is energized, and assuming that the contacts 68 and 6| are-disengaged, as they are normally, current will flow from the line wire 21. conductor 31, conductor 40, all the bells 38 on that circuit, conductor 42, contact 55, contact 50, conductor 5|, cross bar 46, bar 44, conductor 62, conductor 66, relay 25, conductor 54, to the line wire 28. This of course results in ringing all the bells 38 on the one circuit at the particular predetermined time. Assuming that it is one .of the holes in the series l2 through which the light projects so that the relay 26 is operated, current will flow from the line wire 21, conductor 31, conductor 4|, all the balls 39 on the second circuit, conductor 43, contact 59, contact 56, conwheel 99. This magnet is connected in series ductor 51, cross, bar". bar 46. conductor 61, relay 26, conductor 69, conductor 64, to the line wire 29, resulting in ringing of as many bells 39 as there may be in the second circuit.

5 The functionof the double-throw switches 49 and 49 is to transfer the bells 39 from the first circuit to the second and the bells 39 from the second circuit to the first, or to place all in either circuit. whichever arrangement is desired. Such l transfer is eifected merely by throwing one. or the other of the switches to its reverse position.

The above described calendar mechanism consisting of the parts 69 to I is for the purpose of putting the lamps I1 and I8 out of circuit from 6:90 p. m, to 6:00 a. m. or on any dayduring Cach week. As mentioned above there are fourteen twelve hour periods in each week and consequently fourteen teeth on and holes in the ratchet 69. The pe'g or pin 15 on the disk 'I9 is at the twelve oclock indication. Clearly when this pin I5 unit the bottom of the disk I9, or at the six oclock point it will engage the lever I2 and move it to the left whereupon the pawl I4 will move the ratchet 69 one tooth. The 2-5 .peg I9 will then engage the elongated contact 34 and move it'out of engagement with the contact 33, thereby clearly breaking the circuit above described at this point and causing deenergization of the lamps II and I9 so that no light will be 39 thrown onto the selenium cells which will therefore become inactive so as not to operate the relays. The lights will remain deenergized until the peg 19 has slipped oif from the contact 34. which cannot occur until another twelve hours have elapsed. When this does occur the contact 38'Wil1 reengage the contact 33 and reestablish the circuit to the lamps so that the entire mechanism is restored to its normal operation.

The form of the invention disclosed in Figures 3 and 4 is based on the same .general principles 'as the above described form and, generally speak-- ing, the essential features of the construction are substantially the same. However, in this form the rotatable dial of the first form is replaced by a moving tape with which are associated the light producing means andthe photo-electric cells. In this form there is of course provided a clock I6 having the same dial and hour, minute and second hands as before and driven by an appropriate synchronous motor fed with current through conductors TI and I9. There is also provided a mercury switch I9 which is pivotally mounted and urged by gravity into one position and equipped with an arm 89 disposed in the path of travel of a nub or can: projection 6| on the arbor of the second hand so that when the sec- 0nd hand makes one complete revolution the. mercury switch will be tripped, that is to say this switch will be shifted into circuit closing I ductor ,II,4 with the line wire or conductor 11.

position every minute. T?

I also provide a pair of toothed reels or rollers 82 about which are trained tapes 83 extending over and under guide rollers 64 and85. The reels 92 are provided with teeth 96 adapted to enter holes 81 in the tapes for driving purposes, that is to say so as to move the tapes step by step. These reels 92 are mounted upon a shaft 98 carrying a ratchet wheel 99 with which cooperates is pivoted intermediate its ends as shown and" which carries a pawl 93 engaging the ratchet they are in order.

with the feed wire IIandf the mercury switch I9 so as to be energized each time the mercury switch is tripped. thereby attracting the armature lever 92 and moving the reels one step per minute. It is intended that each of the tapes 83 be punched, as at 94 near its edges at thepa rticular times when it is desired to have signal bells operate in accordance with a predetermined program and it is of course apparent that the location or spacing of the punched holes 94 may be easily. arranged in advance. It is likewise apparent that if a program is to be changed it is a simple matter to remove one or both of the tapes andlreplace them .with differently punched ones.

Located at one side of the tapes are light bulbs 95' and located at the opposite side are photoelectric cells 96 so that whenever-a punched-out hole 94 is in alinement between a lamp 95 and a cell 96 the latter will be energized. The lamps are connected in parallel with the electro-magnet 9| by means of conductors 91 and 98 so as to flash every time the electro-magnet is energized. It is of course understood that the flashing of the lamps, though constant, hasno effect on the photo-electric cells unless a hole 94 is in alinement between them'. The conductor9! leading to the lamps connects by a conductor 99 with the mercury switch and also connected with the mercury'switch is a conductor I99 which leads to a switch I9I operated by a calendar device I92 which corresponds exactly with what is shown .in the first form of the invention and which therefore need not be described again in detail,

the purpose being the same in this instance as in the first form of the invention. However. whereas in the first form of the invention the calendar device is operated by the pin 15 on the rotatable dial I 9, in this instance it is operated by a similar pin I93 on a gear I94 which is driven from the clock mechanism by means -of any in termediate train of gears. not shown. In this instance the photo-electric cells 96 are connected with respective ones of a plurality of'relays I95.

each of which has one terminal connected by a conductor I96 with the feed wire Ill. The other terminals of these relays are connected with metal bars I91 of a control panel I96. The bars I 91 are bridged by a plurality ofbars I99 which are insulated therefrom under normal conditions and connected with the different bars I99 are the conductors which lead to the different hell or signalling circuits-but one of such s nalling circuits is indicated for the sake of clarityin which .A normally open switch III is connected in each bell circuit in shunt with the relay I95 controlling that circuit and is identical in form and function with the switches 69-6I and 63- 94 iilustratedin connection with the construction of Figure 1. These shunt switches,..in.both forms of the invention, provide for manual operation of the signalling circuits, independent of the relay control, so that should occasion arise for the operation of any one at some other time than that for which the apparatus is set. it can be done by means of the said control or master switches which also provide for testing the signalling cir- The control panel I08 is of somewhat peculiar construction and it should be explained that at the intersections of the bars I01 and I09 there are provided tapped-holes into which may be threaded screws for'completing the connection between any one of the bars l! and any one or more of the bars I09. For instance ifit is desired to have bell H3 on number one circuit, such a screw would be put in the extreme upper left hand corner intersection, or inother words at the point 5. By this means and method any bell can be changed to operate on any one of the four circuits or can be taken out of service simply by removing the screw.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided a purely electrical program clock which is based on well known scientific theories which have been proved to be sound and reliable. The employment of this purely electrical means for operating the clock eliminates the multitudinousmechanical parts such as contacts and the like which are present in the ordinary mechanically driven types and as a consequence there is less to get out of order and less to adjust so that the device should be very eflicient and durable in service.

While I have shown and described preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is merely an exemplification of the principles involved as the right is reserved to make all such changes in the details of construction as will widen the field of utility and increase the adaptability of the device provided such changes constitute no departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. An electric program clock comprising, in combination with a clock mechanism, a movable member having clock mechanism actuated means for driving the same in timed relation therewith and formed with series of perforations uniformly spaced to successively pass a fixed point at a fixed rate, light producing means disposed on one side ofthe movable member within. the area through which said perforations pass, an energizing circuit for the light producing means, light sensitive cells disposed directly opposite said light producing means but on the other side of said movable member, a periodically actuated switch controlling the light producing means and operated by the clock mechanism, signals, energizing circuits for the signals, and relays controlled by the light sensitive cells and controlling the signal circuits.

2. An electric program clock comprising, in combination with a clock mechanism, a movable member having clock mechanism actuated means for driving the same in timed relation therewith and formed with series of perforations uniformmovablmmember, a switch controlling thelamps' but actuated at fixed intervals by the clock mechanism, signals, energizing circuits forthe signals, relays controlled by the'light sensitivecells and controlling the signal circuits, a" normally closed switch controlling the lamp energizing circuit and in series with the periodically actuated switch, and switch opening means for the last said switch operatively connected-with the movable member for actuation thereby at fixed intervals.

3. An electric program clock comprising, in combination witha clock mechanism, a movable member having clock mechanism actuated means for driving the same in timed relation therewith and formed with series of perforations uniformly spaced to successively pass a fixed point at a fixed rate, lamps disposed on one side of the movable member within the area through which said perforations pass, an energizing circuit for said lamps, light sensitive cells disposed directly opposite said lamps but on the other side of said movable member, a switch controlling the lamps but actuated at fixed intervals by the clock mechanism, signals, energizing circuits for the signals, relays controlled by the light. sensitive cells and controlling the signal circuits, a normally closedswitch controlling the lamp energizing circuit and in series with the periodically actuated switch, and switch opening means for the last said switch operatively connected with the movable member for actuation thereby at fixed intervals, the said switch comprising fixed and movable members of which the latter is yieldingly impelled into engagement with the former, and said actuating means comprising a ratchet wheel, a

drive lever intermittently moved during the movement of the movable member and having a pawl engaging the ratchet wheel, and a trip and formed with series of perforations uniformly spaced to successively pass a fixed point at a fixed rate, light producing means disposed on one side of the movable member within the area through which said perforations pass, an energizing circuit for the light producing means, lightsensitive cells disposed directlyopposite said light producing means but on the other side of the said movable member, a periodically actuated switch controlling the light producing means and operated by the clock mechanism, signals, energizing circuits for the signals, relays controlled by the light sensitive cells and controlling the signal circuits, and manual switches controlling the signal circuits independently of the relays.

- 5. An electric program clock comprising, in

combination with a clock mechanism, a movable member having clock mechanism actuated means for driving the same in timed relation therewith and formed with series of perforations uniformly spacedto successively pass a fixed point at a fixed rate, light producing means'disposed on one side of the movable member within the area through which said perforations pass, an energizing circuit for the light producing means, light sensitive cells disposed directly opposite said light producing means but on the other side of said movable member, a periodically actuated switch controlling the light producing means and operated by the clock-mechanism, signals, energizing circuits for the signals, relays controlled by the light sensitive cells and controlling the signal circuits,

and plug membersselectively positionable in the perforations to selectively shield the cells from the-light producing means at such periods as it is not desired to have the former actuate the relays.

ROBERT OTTAWAY. 

